Featured artist interview: Stephen Homewood

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When Stephen Homewood began uploading his artwork to Bluethumb a mere two weeks ago, it caused a bit of a frenzy. Seven of his artworks sold over the course of four days. Even yours truly got in on the excitement (I’ll upload a picture of his work in my new studio as soon as it arrives – can’t wait!).

With influences ranging from graffiti to Brett Whiteley, Stephen is one of those rare artists who is both self-taught and brilliant. New to Bluethumb and working primarily on paper, his work is tremendously good value at the moment – but it won’t be long before the demand for his work pushes the price up. I asked him a few questions about his work and his influences.

Rose Hartley: Under “education” in your Bluethumb profile you’ve written “art and life”. Does this mean you are self-taught? If so, how did you develop your technique? If not, where did you study art?

Stephen Homewood: Yes I am self-taught, I have been developing my own style of drawing/painting for years. Some people have said my work is a cross between Brett Whiteley’s drawing technique and the directness of Adam Cullen’s painting style but I have always been able to draw with a gift from the old masters. I have only been using colour for the past two years, since I spent one week with Australian Artist Donald James Waters who showed me a few colour techniques to enhance my drawing style.

Exit Burke by Stephen Homewood. Available to buy for $119.

RH:Do you ever start a piece intending to paint one thing and end up with something else entirely?

SH: When I purchase a blank sheet of paper it is very exciting for me as an artist, because I have no preconceptions of anything that will flow from my hand to the blank sheet of paper, whatever happens happens and this is my art you see today in Australia and worldwide. I use no preliminary thought process or concept building with my art. The work comes from within myself conjuring feelings of emotions from music soundtracks and thoughts.

RH: Your piece After Bacon is described as“study after a quick bacon sandwich” – a cheeky title, but is there a reference to Francis Bacon in there? Is he one of your influences?

SH: Ha ha, yes it was associated to Francis Bacon. I admire Francis Bacon and his figurative form work. He had a great gift with distortion.

After Bacon by Stephen Homewood.

RH: There’s an undercurrent of violence in some of your work. For example, in the Captive, there’s a kind of close, claustrophobic entanglement of the human form. Is this something you like to explore?

SH: The piece you’re referring to is called “The Past Is Always Present”, it is now available again for sale via Bluethumb. It’s a reworked piece based on my feelings after watching the Australian film Beautiful Kate. So you can see in the image just how different artists can take something as simple as a film and use it in their own style to produce a piece of art that is totally unique.

RH:Do you have plans to exhibit your work anywhere soon?

SH: I have had several joint exhibitions in Australia and world wide. For example one was at The Hollow Gallery, Portland, Oregon, USA with William Kendall showcased on 7th November 2013. I do not have anything planed for the near future exhibition-wise due to sale demand for my artwork worldwide.